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Monday, September 29, 2014

Will be honored at 10/8 luncheon for providing an “online civic forum for interested and interesting people”

The Albany Roundtable has selected All Over Albany and its editors Mary Darcy and Greg Dahlmann to receive its prestigious New Patroon Award for the organization’s efforts to provide an “online civic forum for interested and interesting people.” The award will be presented at the Albany Roundtable luncheon on Wednesday, October 8.

Since 2008, residents of the Capital Region have turned to www.alloveralbany.com for information on music, art, history, politics, grocery shopping, maps, and pictures of Flabby Tabby Photoshopped into famous local venues. But it’s not all fun and games on AOA. The website offers – in the editors’ own words – “a healthy dose of stuff you never knew you wanted or needed to know.”

“All Over Albany delivers important information in a format that lets readers skim the surface or dig deep into source material,” said Chris Hawver, President of the Albany Roundtable. “The website is a portal to what matters in our region, and a starting point for many debates and conversations. It provides much-needed perspective on the history and the future of our community, and has fostered a more deeply engaged citizenry. We are delighted to honor AOA with the New Patroon award.”

The featured speaker for the October 8 luncheon is Tom Nardacci, President and Founder of Gramercy Communications. His presentation is titled, “Good to Great: Elevating the Capital Region Brand from Top 100 to Top 10.” According to Nardacci, the capital region boasts stable employment, an emerging technology sector, and successful partnerships among government, education and private employers. But if the Capital Region brand ever wants to rise from “above average” and “top 100” to “great” and “top 10” two key areas need to be fully addressed – development along our historic waterways and full rebirth of our downtowns.

The Albany Roundtable established its Good Patroon Award 1988 to celebrate outstanding contributions to the community by institutions and individuals. While the Good Patroon Award has traditionally honored organizations and individuals with a long record of service to the community, the Roundtable launched its New Patroon Award in 2011 to highlight and encourage the work of newer organizations.

The most recent Good Patroon Award winners include Hon. John J. McEneny for his career in public service; Ruth Pelham and the Music Mobile; Amy Klein and Capital District Community Gardens; Maude Baum, Artistic Director of eba Dance Theatre; housing and social justice advocates Roger and Maria Markovics; and Christine M. Miles, Director of the Albany Institute of History and Art. Catherine Hedgeman and The Stakeholders, Inc., received the first New Patroon Award in 2011, followed by Jeff Mirel and The Albany Barn in 2012; and Edwards Grimes-Carrión and Grand Street Community Arts in 2013.

The October 8 Roundtable Luncheon begins at 12:00 noon and will be held at the National Register-listed University Club of Albany at 141 Washington Avenue. The luncheon is open to the public and the cost is $20, which may be paid at the door. The Roundtable also offers the option of paying in advance with a credit card at www.albanyroundtable.blogspot.com. The University Club will serve lunch from 12:00 noon to 1:00 p.m., with the program commencing at 12:30. Reservations are required by Monday, October 6 and may be made by prepaying online, by calling 518-431-1400 (the Albany Colonie Regional Chamber of Commerce) or by sending an e-mail to albanyroundtable@yahoo.com.

“When he died in 1839, Stephen Van Rensselaer III was remembered as ‘The Good Patroon’ for his benevolent attitude toward the residents of Rensselaerswyck,” said Hawver. “The Good Patroon and New Patroon Awards are the Albany Roundtable’s means of honoring those leaders who make our community a better place to live. We are so pleased to be able to present All Over Albany with this award.”

Sunday, September 21, 2014

Tom Nardacci, President and Founder of Gramercy Communications Kicks off Albany Roundtable 2014-2015 Season

Tom Nardacci, President and Founder of Gramercy Communications, will address the Albany Roundtable on Wednesday, October 8. Albany Roundtable luncheon meetings are held at the National Register-listed University Club, 141 Washington Avenue at Dove Street in Albany, and are open to the public.

According to Nardacci, the capital region boasts stable employment, an emerging technology sector, and successful partnerships among government, education and private employers. But if the Capital Region brand ever wants to rise from “above average” and “top 100” to “great” and “top 10” two key areas need to be fully addressed – development along our historic waterways and full rebirth of our downtowns.

“The Capital Region’s waterfronts are primed for development and are universally believed to be a natural catalyst to propel this renaissance forward,” said Nardacci. “Historic buildings in urban areas across the state are being restored to their former glory and being transformed into places that people clamor to live, work and play in. The Capital Region is on the cusp of going from ‘good’ to ‘great,’ and becoming one of the nation’s most desirable and admired regions.”

The Roundtable’s New Patroon Award will be presented at the October luncheon to All Over Albany and its founders Mary Darcy and Greg Dahlmann for “providing an online civic forum for interested and interesting people in the Capital Region.”

Tom Nardacci founded Gramercy Communications in 2005. He grew up in the city of Rensselaer and earned his Master’s degree from Columbia University, his thesis detailing how to revitalize New York State’s Erie Canal though tourism. He founded Gramercy Communications in 2005 and his clients currently represent well over $3 billion in economic activity in upstate New York alone. An active volunteer, Tom has been appointed by Governor Cuomo to the New York State Heritage Areas Advisory Council and the Empire State Plaza Performing Arts Center.

The cost for the luncheon is $20, which may be paid at the door. The Roundtable also offers its guests the option of paying in advance with a credit card. The University Club will serve a hot and cold buffet from 12:00 noon to 1:00 p.m., with the program commencing at 12:30. Reservations for the October 8 luncheon are required by Monday, October 6 and may be made by prepaying online, by calling 518-431-1400 (the Albany Colonie Regional Chamber of Commerce) or by sending an e-mail to albanyroundtable@yahoo.com.

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About the Roundtable

The Albany Roundtable is an all-volunteer, not-for-profit organization that presents a unique opportunity for people from around the region and from all walks of life to gather to hear speakers with diverse viewpoints on timely subjects.